I do pay for media I own, but I have a legitimate beef with this idiot. Why should I have to pay again after a limited amount of downloads of a song that I bought? Even iPads go bad, you know. I really shouldn't have to pay every time their inferior CD products break or every time I choose to buy a new computer.

And he's got a point. You don't have to re-buy all your CDs when you get a new CD player, or your vinyl when you get a new turntable. Why should legitimately purchased MP3s be any different?

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.

We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.